Iperico

Hypericum perforatum is one of the most widely marketed extracts in the world. Its popularity dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, and its use has continued through the Middle Ages to the present day, when its extracts are widely used in herbal medicine for relaxation and mental wellbeing.

St. John’s Wort is a perennial herbaceous plant, native to the British archipelago and now considered ubiquitous, given its worldwide distribution. Its full botanical name is Hypericum perforatum, a name derived from its leaves, which against the light appear as if they had holes in them. In reality, these are not holes, but small oily blisters. The popular name for St. John’s wort is in fact ‘St. John’s wort’, but it is also known as the ‘devil’s wort’, because in the past it was believed that sleeping next to St. John’s wort plants kept evil spirits away and protected against death for at least a year. The name ‘St. John’s wort’ probably derives from the fact that St. John’s wort flowers at the end of June (coinciding with St. John’s Day, 24 June). This plant grows in lightly wooded areas exposed to the sun and is resistant to cold. In some parts of the world it is considered a weed, while in Europe it is mainly cultivated for its effects on relaxation and mental well-being.

The properties of St. John´s Wort´s flowering tops, of which the buds and fresh flowers are used, are due to the phytocomplex it contains, consisting mainly of flavonoids, such as hypericin, rutin, quercetin and hyperoside, and other substances that contribute to relaxation and mental well-being, which are obtained from the dry extract or mother tincture. The anxiolytic activity of this plant is exerted through activation of the benzodiazepine receptor, although the specific molecule responsible for this activity has not been identified. Studies show that the compounds in the extract, when taken alone, do not have the same efficacy as the extract as a whole, confirming that the anxiolytic action is indeed due to the various molecules that make it up.
The same synergistic action of the compounds also underlies the antidepressant effect of this plant. The action is exerted in this case through inhibition of noradrenaline re-uptake, inhibition of certain serotonin and dopamine receptors and inhibition of GABA re-uptake at the pre-synaptic level, and is due to the combination of hyperforin, hypericin and rutin.
Because of these characteristics, St. John’s wort extract is used to treat anxiety and minor depressive disorders.

Abundant pharmacological and clinical studies carried out on the dry extract of St. John’s Wort show that it is a safe phytotherapeutic product, but that it may have certain contraindications that must be taken into account. St. John’s Wort interferes with the metabolism of many drugs, enhancing or in some cases eliminating their effect. It is therefore inadvisable to use it at the same time as other therapies, as this may stimulate certain enzymes that metabolise drugs and reduce their circulating levels. In addition, it acts in addition to serotonergic drugs. Clinical studies have shown that taking this medicinal herb reduces blood levels of drugs such as digoxin (a substance belonging to the digital glycoside category, used as a medicine for certain heart problems) and theophylline (an active ingredient used to increase the force of cardiac contraction) and may also reduce the effect of warfarin (the most popular drug with anticoagulant action). It can also lower blood levels of Cyclosporine, an antibiotic used to prevent the risk of transplant rejection, and reduce the effect of oral contraceptives. Further attention should also be paid to photosensitivity during exposure to sunlight. For this reason, exposure to the sun and/or tanning lamps should be avoided during the intake period, especially in the case of sensitive and delicate skin.

It should not be taken during pregnancy and when breastfeeding.